The Best Pumpkin Brownies

These pumpkin brownies are my definition of the perfect brownies. They’re moist, chewy, and chocolatey, with perfectly crisp edges, but still give a light and fluffy bite. Add a swirl of pumpkin goodness and you’ve got the best fall treat EVER. Make this feel-good, from-scratch recipe at home and enjoy ultimate fudgy perfection!

Jump to Recipe

Brownies are my family’s favorite dessert, so every year once pumpkin season begins, you can expect me to be baking these amazing pumpkin brownies non-stop. I mean, come on – the blend of smooth pumpkin puree, rich chocolate, and warm fall spices is just sooo goood. It’s like enjoying a warm pumpkin pie in fudgy brownie form!

Chocolate pumpkin brownies make a great snack or dessert. My kids love them as an after-school snack and I enjoy them with coffee while I work. They’re also the ultimate crowd-pleasers, perfect for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving gatherings, or any fall celebration. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fuss-free recipe: Prep for 10 minutes, and let your oven do the rest of the work. Perfect for beginners!
• Simple ingredients: This recipe only calls for easy, everyday ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
• Fun and festive treat: This treat is a creative twist on classic brownies, bringing a fun, seasonal flair to your dessert table . 
• Cozy fall flavors: Comforting chocolate and warming pumpkin spice make this dessert perfect for cool autumn weather.
• Kid-friendly: The familiar flavors and irresistible texture make pumpkin brownies a hit with the kids. They won’t be able to tell they’re made with pumpkin!
• Versatile dessert: Enjoy them plain, with toppings, or crumbled on top of other desserts.

How to Make Pumpkin Brownies

As indulgent as these pumpkin brownies are, you won’t believe that you can make them in under an hour. Simply make the batter and pop it in the oven – it will come out perfectly-baked with crispy, crackly edges and a perfectly soft and fudgy center!

I really like making recipes with 10 ingredients or less, but I’m making an exception with this one because it’s such a great holiday treat! If you want to minimize the ingredients, you could consider the chocolate chips as optional (but I doubt you will!).

Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients You Need

• All-purpose flour
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
• Cocoa powder: Deepens the chocolate flavor and contributes to the overall richness of the brownies.
• Pumpkin pie spice: For that signature pumpkin spice flavor! Use ready-made pumpkin pie spice or make your own by mixing cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg.
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Butter: I use unsalted butter.
• Sugar
• Eggs: To bind the ingredients together, giving the brownies a slightly cakey texture while keeping them fudgy.
• Pumpkin puree: Use regular canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling which has extra sugar and spices that we don’t want). You can also use fresh if you have some on hand.
• Vanilla extract

Step-By-Step Instructions

Pumpkin brownies are as easy to make as they are delicious. No special grocery runs needed and no special tools required. In just 4 simple steps, you’ll have the best pumpkin brownies you’ve ever tasted!

Step 1: Prep your oven

Preheat your oven to 350 F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, mix the dry ingredients: the flour, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients

Next, cream the butter and sugar in a second bowl. Carefully mix in the eggs, one at a time. Fold in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract.

Finally, add the wet ingredients to the dry bowl and stir well to combine.

Step 4: Bake your brownies

Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Enjoy the best pumpkin brownies ever!

Substitutions

Missing one or two of the ingredients or prefer to use something else? Here are some ideal substitutions:

• All-purpose flour: You can also substitute with the same amount of gluten-free flour blend.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with your choice of chocolate chips. Milk chocolate, white chocolate, or even caramel chips will work great.
• Butter: If you don’t want to use butter, substitute with coconut oil.
• Pumpkin puree: Use butternut squash puree or mashed sweet potatoes if pumpkin puree isn’t available. I haven’t tested these two ingredients yet, but both offer similar texture and flavor. 

Variations

I wouldn’t change a thing about these oh-so-good oven-baked pumpkin brownies, but I’ve tried a few mix-ins for added fun! Try these unique twists on this fall treat:

• Fruits: Add chopped dried fruit to the batter for a pop of natural sweetness that complements the richness of the chocolate. Dried cherries, dried cranberries, dates, and raisins are great options.
• Nuts: Out the chocolate chips or add your favorite chopped nuts! Pecans, hazelnuts, or walnuts are great for adding a delightful crunch and a toasty, nutty flavor.
• Coffee: Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the batter to deepen the chocolate flavor without overpowering the pumpkin. Chocolate, coffee, and pumpkin spice? Yes, please!
• Cream cheese: Swirl a layer of sweetened cream cheese into the brownie batter before baking for a rich, tangy contrast to the chocolate and pumpkin flavors. 
• Salted caramel: Drizzle the top with salted caramel sauce for a sweet and salty treat with an added layer of richness.
• Pumpkin Blondies: Skip the cocoa powder and chocolate chips to make pumpkin blondies – a lighter, more pumpkin-flavored version with an equally chewy, fudgy texture.

Expert Tips

• Don’t overmix the batter: Stir the dry and wet ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can make the brownies dense and tough, rather than fudgy.
• Customize the spices: Feel free to adjust the amount of pumpkin pie spice according to your preference. You can also add other spices of your choice.
• Add your favorite toppings: Add more flavor and texture to your brownies by serving them with toppings. Top them with whipped cream, cream cheese frosting, or a dusting of powdered sugar, add a drizzle of chocolate or caramel, or a sprinkle of mini marshmallows.
• Cool before cutting: The brownies are good to go fresh out of the oven, but I always allow at least 15 minutes for them to cool and set before I cut and serve. If you can make clean slices, that means they’re ready.

How to Store This Recipe

Transfer pumpkin brownies into an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also layer them in a freezer-safe container, with parchment or wax paper in between each layer, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw frozen brownies at room temperature before serving.

What to Serve with Pumpkin Brownies

Pumpkin brownies are a treat on their own, but you can serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream as a snack or an overload of your favorite toppings for dessert. Want to enjoy them for breakfast? Crumble the brownies on top of some Greek yogurt. Add a sprinkle of granola and some fresh berries for a filling meal. Delicious!

If you make these pumpkin brownies, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!